Saxony Lutheran girls basketball team handed first loss of season in state quarterfinals

HILLSBORO, Mo. -- A year ago, the Saxony Lutheran girls basketball team celebrated qualifying for its first-ever Class 3 final four with a state quarterfinal victory at the Jefferson College Field House.

Saturday, those cheers turned to tears as the Crusaders dropped a heartbreaking 67-61 overtime decision to Park Hills Central at the same venue, ending their season one win shy of a repeat performance.

Saxony, which came into the contest unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in Class 3 in the latest Missouri Basketball Coaches Association poll, simply had no answer for the Rebels' size advantage inside and their ballhawking full-court pressure.

"We got beat by a better team today," said Saxony coach Sam Sides, whose squad finished the season 29-1. "Tip the hat to them because they outplayed us. That's the way it should be. It was a battle, and that's what I'm hoping we did, and we did that. The girls are pretty disappointed, but I'm not disappointed in them."

The Crusaders enjoyed early success against the Rebels, leading 13-6 after one period. But Central (28-1) battled back behind its twin-tower tandem of forwards Sydney Skaggs, a 6-foot-1 senior and Missouri-St. Louis recruit, and her sister, 6-foot junior Megan Skaggs. Two pair combined for 31 points, led by Megan Skaggs' 16-point effort.

Saxony Lutheran's Briana Mueller leaves the court after her team's loss to Park Hills Central in the Class 3 state quarterfinal Saturday, March 7, 2015 in Hillsboro, Missouri. (Fred Lynch)

The two dominated on the boards, coming up with several key second-chance opportunities for the Rebels, who rallied to pull within 22-21 at the half.

"The biggest thing was we couldn't keep them off the glass," Sides said. "They're not only tall, but they're athletic tall. And they shot the ball extremely well. We had to give up something, and we tried to go inside and help out inside and they hurt us from the outside. They're a strong team."

When the Crusaders clogged the middle, senior guard Mackenzie Jones took over. She either drove the lane for several short jumpers or settled for hitting from the outside to the tune of a team-high 21 points.

"I think our kids came out a little nervous," Central coach Josh Mapes said about his team's slow start. "We were a little intimidated in the beginning, but we felt good after that. Our press was really good today. We got after them and tried to turn them over a bunch, and I think it sped the game up, which was to our favor."

Indeed, Saxony finished the game with an un-Crusader-like 16 turnovers, many of which led to breakaway baskets for the Rebels or simply prevented Saxony from setting up its offense.

"We knew they could shoot really good, and they got a few on us. And that happens," said Jones, who continually harassed Saxony guards Grace Mirly and Brianna Mueller in the Rebels' full-court pressure defense. "But we focused on not letting our man beat us."

Mirly, who led Saxony with 21 points, said the game was probably the most intense of the season.

"I know sometimes we didn't keep our composure like we normally do," Mirly said. "We just weren't able to pull it together today."

Saxony opened the second half with a 12-5 run that pushed its lead to 34-26, but Central answered each time, staying within striking distance. Trailing 50-44 midway through the fourth quarter, the Rebels went on a 7-1 run to eventually knot the score at 51-51 following a putback by Sydney Skaggs with 2:58 remaining in regulation.

Five lead changes ensued until Central's Olivia Casey knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing to tie the score at 59-59 with 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Both teams had chances to win in regulation, but Mueller missed on a drive with 30 seconds left, and Jones' shot from the opposing baseline was blocked by Saxony's Ali Galemmo as regulation time expired.

Central quickly gained a four-point advantage in overtime on a pullup jumper from Peyton Caldwell and another short jumper from Jones following a missed steal attempt by Mirly at midcourt. Raegan Wieser (10 points) scored on a drive to make it 63-61, but Central was able to close out the win at the free-throw line, making all four of its attempts over the final 32 seconds.

Central's dominance on the offensive boards was borne out by the fact the Rebels converted five offensive rebounds into points in the second half, including three times in the fourth quarter.

"Working against two tall girls, you've got to be careful of the fouls," said Galemmo, who along with Wieser and Maddie Brune were saddled with foul trouble most of the game. Wieser and Brune each finished with four fouls, while Galemmo fouled out late in overtime. "You just really have to box them off the boards. Sandwich them front and back was what we were hoping to do. They got one here and there. You know it's going to be difficult. You just have to push through it."

"We knew they were going to be a good team," said Wieser, who surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her career with a first-quarter jumper. "We knew we had to stop those two because they're very athletic, they're good players. We did really well early on. We knew we had to slow them down so we could play with them."

Sides, though calling the season a success, nonetheless lamented the quick ending.

"The worst part is our season's over," he said. "It could have lasted one more week and I could've spent another week with them, because they're so much fun to be around. That's the hard part for me. I really enjoy coaching them."

Mirly said the loss only will help to fuel the Crusaders' fire as the junior-laden squad looks forward to next season.

"We've faced some tough losses in previous seasons," Mirly said. "We know the pain of defeat, but we also know that it drives us to do bigger things for next year."

Park Hills Central 6 15 17 21 8 -- 67

Saxony Lutheran 13 9 21 16 2 -- 61

PARK HILLS CENTRAL (67) -- Peyton Caldwell 6, Mackenzie Jones 21, Sydney Skaggs 15, Megan Skaggs 16, Skyler Amonette 1, Olivia Casey 8. FG 23, FT 17-27, F 17. (3-pointers: Jones 2, Casey 2. Fouled out: none.)

SAXONY LUTHERAN (61) -- Grace Mirly 21, Ali Galemmo 6, Brianna Mueller 16, Masyn McWilliams 2, Raegan Wieser 10, Maddie Brune 6. FG 22, FT 11-15, F 19. (3-pointers: Mueller 4, Wieser 2. Fouled out: Galemmo.)